Want talks? Reach out directly to me, Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma tells Maoists | Raipur News

RAIPUR: Responding to a second letter from Maoists, seeking to initiate peace talks with govt, Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma on Thursday said they should contact him directly if they are serious about truce.
“If they want to talk, they must come forward transparently. Govt has not formed any official committee for peace talks. If anyone wants to talk, they should reach out to me directly. I will ensure their safety. But let me be clear: violence will be met with force,” Sharma, who is also the home minister, said.
“I tried to verify the authenticity of the letter issued by the ‘in-charge of the northwest sub-zonal bureau’ of the CPI(Maoist). It was found to be true. We are open to unconditional talks with even a single representative and prepared for strict action if violence continues,” minister Sharma said.
“Even if a single individual is willing to come forward for discussions, the govt is prepared. Whether it’s a small group or a large one, we are ready for dialogue on all fronts,” Sharma reiterated.
Govt views peace talks as a path toward promoting long-term stability and development in Naxal-affected regions, he said.
Guns can’t dictate terms in democratic nation: Dy CM
In his statement, Sharma appealed to Naxal groups “not to waste time waiting for others”, but to come forward voluntarily and engage in dialogue.
Around a week ago, when Maoists made their first peace overture, Sharma had dismissed it as “not even worth considering”. “There can be no conditions attached to peace talks,” he said.
This time, too, he questioned the Maoists’ credibility, demanding clarity on the so-called committee mentioned in their letter.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Sharma echoed Union home minister Amit Shah‘s call for Maoists to surrender and join the mainstream.
Highlighting the new rehabilitation policy under which surrendered rebels – even those active for 5-6 years – will not face prosecution, and pending cases may be withdrawn, he said talks are possible when Naxals decide to surrender.
Responding to the Maoists’ appeal to ‘stop internal conflict’, Sharma said: “You call for peace but continue holding guns. In India, we follow democracy, not dictatorship like China. Guns cannot dictate terms in a democratic nation.”
“We are running the ‘VIR’ (Village Integration and Rehabilitation) campaign. We’re going village to village, connecting with people. This is Modi ji’s govt, and Amit Shah’s mission is clear,” Sharma said, affirming the state has four years to achieve complete resolution.
He emphasized that this peace initiative is being undertaken under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the Union home minister and chief minister.
However, Sharma made it clear that dialogue alone cannot be the response to violence. “We cannot respond to bullets with just words,” he said firmly, adding that govt will not hesitate to take strict action if the situation demands it.
Maoists on Wednesday issued a second letter within a week, reiterating their willingness to engage in peace talks with govt. Any such dialogue can only proceed if a conducive atmosphere is created, but govt has failed to ensure this, the letter claimed.
“While we are not averse to peace negotiations, the current conditions in Bastar – marked by ongoing killings and security operations – make talks practically impossible,” the letter went.
With Union home minister Amit Shah’s bold declaration to eliminate Maoist insurgency by March 2026, anti-Naxal operations have intensified across Bastar region. With over 400 cadres shot dead in encounters and around 1,016 surrendered since last year, the Maoist network has been smashed and they are increasingly being cornered into ever tighter pockets. TNN